by Chris.
Recently (and when I say recently I mean many months ago) I read a book titled Feed. Now, to put it plainly Feed was complete and utter crap. But don’t take my word for it, just read this completely biased review written by me. I was actually pretty excited to read Feed at first because it was a Science Fiction novel set in a future where people have computers in their brain that basically program them to buy items. How will our main characters overcome the feed!? Trust me; it’s not as interesting as it sounds. Our main character . . . what is our main character’s name again? Oh yeah, now I remember, WHO CARES! The main character is basically the most boring, one-dimensional, moronic character I’ve ever read about.
Though, okay there may be some or a redeeming quality to this book and I will name them or it right now. The actual idea of a feed in someone’s brain does raise some interesting discussion questions. Like, if someone proposed to put a feed in your brain would you do it? All the information you’ll ever need right at your fingertips, err . . . temporal lobe. While, I admit the idea of a feed is interesting, it’s really not worth torturing yourself by reading this . . . can I even call it story? Anyway, back to the review.
Our main character meets and falls in love with a girl who’s different. She attempts to fight the feed. In many ways this becomes a love story . . . a really really bad love story. Trudging through this book and reading about the character’s “problems” isn’t really worth it just to find an inkling of a tracing of a crumb of an iota of a piece of a scent of anything even seemingly interesting in this story, well it just isn’t worth it! Am I not making myself clear? AVOID FEED LIKE THE PLAUGE!!! You see that? Three exclamation points, that means I mean it. Okay, so maybe I am being a little hard on this trashy, dull, uninteresting story and maybe some people or a person outside of some mental institution would find Feed interesting, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong there. But don’t take my word for it; just ask some of your friends who’ve read it. Oh, what’s that you say? You don’t have any friends who’ve read it? Hmm, I wonder why . . . Anyway, in short, I would not recommend Feed to you. Your time is precious folks, don’t waste it reading this schlock.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Book/Play Review: The Crucible by Arthur Miller
by Jiayun
Did you ever hear of the Salem Witch Trails? It is a story about people's superstitions gone crazy. In the late 1600s to the early 1700s Salem village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony had become a society of madness. It all began when the new Reverend Parris' servant, Tituba told tales of magic to several young girls and women. Soon, these nightly meetings evolved into meetings of hysteria. Strange symptoms began to takeover these young girls and these so-called "victims" pointed fingers at witches.
The first of these witches had the name of Sarah Good. She was the town's elderly beggar who did not have any connections within Salem for help. At her trial, she was condemned a witch even though she protested against her guilty verdict. As each trial ended with the girls' success, they began to attack people with greater authority. Such as, the saintly Rebecca Nurse and poor Giles Corey. And unlike the hangings, an unusual fate was in store for Giles Corey.
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller re-tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials. Every character gives the reader a perspective of the trials. For instance, Abigail is an evil woman who leads the "victims" in the trials. By acting as if they are possessed during the trial, the girls are able to persecute the "witches." On the other hand, Mr. Proctor is a grieving husband whose wife is convicted of witchcraft.
Miller is truly a great writer in this play. It is an easy read for anyone and brings a new light to society as a whole.
Did you ever hear of the Salem Witch Trails? It is a story about people's superstitions gone crazy. In the late 1600s to the early 1700s Salem village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony had become a society of madness. It all began when the new Reverend Parris' servant, Tituba told tales of magic to several young girls and women. Soon, these nightly meetings evolved into meetings of hysteria. Strange symptoms began to takeover these young girls and these so-called "victims" pointed fingers at witches.
The first of these witches had the name of Sarah Good. She was the town's elderly beggar who did not have any connections within Salem for help. At her trial, she was condemned a witch even though she protested against her guilty verdict. As each trial ended with the girls' success, they began to attack people with greater authority. Such as, the saintly Rebecca Nurse and poor Giles Corey. And unlike the hangings, an unusual fate was in store for Giles Corey.
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller re-tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials. Every character gives the reader a perspective of the trials. For instance, Abigail is an evil woman who leads the "victims" in the trials. By acting as if they are possessed during the trial, the girls are able to persecute the "witches." On the other hand, Mr. Proctor is a grieving husband whose wife is convicted of witchcraft.
Miller is truly a great writer in this play. It is an easy read for anyone and brings a new light to society as a whole.
Book Review: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
byJiayun
Owen Meany was the best friend John Wheelwright ever had...that is, until he died. In A Prayer for Owen Meany, John tells the story of his current life in Canada and his past in Gravesend, New Hampshire.
As a main character, Owen is a miniscule boy. To make up for his small size, Owen has a fantastic voice and a sharp mind. He is witty, cunning, and funny at the same time. Through him, Irving expresses distaste for the Vietnam War and the belief in fate (among many others). Owen believed in fate. In fact, he thinks God uses him as an instrument to finish tasks. These tasks include: saving John from total failure, enlightening the people around him by his unique opinions, and killing Tabitha (John’s mother).
After Owen’s death, John moves to Canada to move on with his life and forget about his hatred toward the US government for fighting Vietnam. Unfortunately, this does not work because he keeps up-to-date with American news by reading the newspaper. As he reads, his mind flashes back to events from the past. One time, he recalls Owen playing a game with his cousins. During this game, his girl cousin Hester tickles Owen as a friendly gesture and Owen wets his pants.
Interesting and intriguing are only a few words to describe this fantastic book. If anyone is interested in literary novels, this is a great book to analyze! In fact, everything Owen Meany says about his perspective of the world and life itself is unique. At one point, he tells John one’s belief in God does not necessarily show, one just knows God is there and believes it.
Most of you probably know John Irving from his book The Cider House Rules, which was made into a movie. A Prayer for Owen Meany has also been made into a film called Simon Birch. Grab this book as a fun read, or for English class. It has plenty of information to analyze if anyone needs to write a paper.
NOTE: This book is recommended for a mature audience, or anyone in grades 10 and up due to vulgar language and sexual suggestions.
Owen Meany was the best friend John Wheelwright ever had...that is, until he died. In A Prayer for Owen Meany, John tells the story of his current life in Canada and his past in Gravesend, New Hampshire.
As a main character, Owen is a miniscule boy. To make up for his small size, Owen has a fantastic voice and a sharp mind. He is witty, cunning, and funny at the same time. Through him, Irving expresses distaste for the Vietnam War and the belief in fate (among many others). Owen believed in fate. In fact, he thinks God uses him as an instrument to finish tasks. These tasks include: saving John from total failure, enlightening the people around him by his unique opinions, and killing Tabitha (John’s mother).
After Owen’s death, John moves to Canada to move on with his life and forget about his hatred toward the US government for fighting Vietnam. Unfortunately, this does not work because he keeps up-to-date with American news by reading the newspaper. As he reads, his mind flashes back to events from the past. One time, he recalls Owen playing a game with his cousins. During this game, his girl cousin Hester tickles Owen as a friendly gesture and Owen wets his pants.
Interesting and intriguing are only a few words to describe this fantastic book. If anyone is interested in literary novels, this is a great book to analyze! In fact, everything Owen Meany says about his perspective of the world and life itself is unique. At one point, he tells John one’s belief in God does not necessarily show, one just knows God is there and believes it.
Most of you probably know John Irving from his book The Cider House Rules, which was made into a movie. A Prayer for Owen Meany has also been made into a film called Simon Birch. Grab this book as a fun read, or for English class. It has plenty of information to analyze if anyone needs to write a paper.
NOTE: This book is recommended for a mature audience, or anyone in grades 10 and up due to vulgar language and sexual suggestions.
Book Review: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
by Abby
The book begins with the details of Matt, the main character’s birth. It was by no stretch of the imagination a normal one. His first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. He was then placed inside the womb of a cow and harvested as a baby. Most people are disgusted by him except for El Patron because, essentially Matt is El Patron. They share they same DNA. Matt is El Patron’s clone. But in Matt’s time clones are created to provide spare parts to increase the life expectancy of their recipient. Although Matt discovers this and voices his fears, he is assured that becoming an organ donor is not his purpose. As he struggles to find his reason for existing, he is threatened by El Patron’s sinister family and dangerous bodyguards. Matt realizes that escape is his only chance at survival.
I will give Nancy Farmer credit for the fact that she has a fabulous imagination. Many of her characters and plot twists I found fascinating. One thing that’s so attractive about this book is that it’s story and plot are so original. I’ve never read anything quite like it, which is refreshing seeing as many books today have similar story lines. Who hasn’t read enough retold fairy tales?
The House of the Scorpion is truly excellent. I looked at the cover of the book and thought that it might be interesting, but wasn’t entirely convinced. When I read it for the first time I found that I really didn’t want to put it down. Farmer created very appealing characters. I find that when I read a good book with well developed characters, I feel as if I know them. The country where the story takes place is called Opium, a strip of poppy fields positioned between the United States and what was once Mexico. It adds another dimension to the already great story. Farmer has achieved so much with her fantastic story.
I think that this book was very well written and highly recommend it. Nancy Farmer has done a wonderful job with this book.
The book begins with the details of Matt, the main character’s birth. It was by no stretch of the imagination a normal one. His first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. He was then placed inside the womb of a cow and harvested as a baby. Most people are disgusted by him except for El Patron because, essentially Matt is El Patron. They share they same DNA. Matt is El Patron’s clone. But in Matt’s time clones are created to provide spare parts to increase the life expectancy of their recipient. Although Matt discovers this and voices his fears, he is assured that becoming an organ donor is not his purpose. As he struggles to find his reason for existing, he is threatened by El Patron’s sinister family and dangerous bodyguards. Matt realizes that escape is his only chance at survival.
I will give Nancy Farmer credit for the fact that she has a fabulous imagination. Many of her characters and plot twists I found fascinating. One thing that’s so attractive about this book is that it’s story and plot are so original. I’ve never read anything quite like it, which is refreshing seeing as many books today have similar story lines. Who hasn’t read enough retold fairy tales?
The House of the Scorpion is truly excellent. I looked at the cover of the book and thought that it might be interesting, but wasn’t entirely convinced. When I read it for the first time I found that I really didn’t want to put it down. Farmer created very appealing characters. I find that when I read a good book with well developed characters, I feel as if I know them. The country where the story takes place is called Opium, a strip of poppy fields positioned between the United States and what was once Mexico. It adds another dimension to the already great story. Farmer has achieved so much with her fantastic story.
I think that this book was very well written and highly recommend it. Nancy Farmer has done a wonderful job with this book.
Book Review: Ender's Shadow
by Alex D.
Orson Scott Card brings us back to the very beginning of his brilliant Ender Quartet, with a novel that allows us to reenter that world once more.
This book is science-fiction, as well as the rest of the book.. Some may not like it because they feel it’s un-relatable but others disagree the characters in the book go through many feelings that people do on a daily basis.
With all the power of his original creation, Card has created a companion volume to Ender's Game, a book that expands and complements the first, enhancing its power, illuminating its events and its powerful conclusion.
The human race is at War with the "Buggers," an insect-like alien race. The first battles went badly, and now as Earth prepares to defend itself against the imminent threat of total destruction at the hands of an inscrutable alien enemy, all focus is on the development and training of military geniuses who can fight such a war, and win.
The long distances of interstellar space have given hope to the defenders of Earth--they have time to train these future commanders up from childhood, forging them into an irresistible force in the high--orbital facility called the Battle School.
Andrew "Ender" Wiggin was not the only child in the Battle School; he was just the best of the best. In this new book, Card tells the story of another of those precocious generals, the one they called Bean--the one who became Ender's right hand, his strategist, and his friend. One who was with him, part of his team, in the final battle against the Buggers.
Bean's past was a battle just to survive. He first appeared on the streets of Rotterdam, a tiny child with a mind leagues beyond anyone else's. He knew he could not survive through strength; he used his tactical genius to gain acceptance into a children's gang, and then to help make that gang a template for success for all the others. He civilized them, and lived to grow older.
Bean's desperate struggle to live, and his success, brought him to the attention of the Battle School's recruiters, those people scouring the planet for leaders, tacticians, and generals to save Earth from the threat of alien invasion. Bean was sent into orbit, to the Battle School. And there he met Ender. .
Orson Scott Card brings us back to the very beginning of his brilliant Ender Quartet, with a novel that allows us to reenter that world once more.
This book is science-fiction, as well as the rest of the book.. Some may not like it because they feel it’s un-relatable but others disagree the characters in the book go through many feelings that people do on a daily basis.
With all the power of his original creation, Card has created a companion volume to Ender's Game, a book that expands and complements the first, enhancing its power, illuminating its events and its powerful conclusion.
The human race is at War with the "Buggers," an insect-like alien race. The first battles went badly, and now as Earth prepares to defend itself against the imminent threat of total destruction at the hands of an inscrutable alien enemy, all focus is on the development and training of military geniuses who can fight such a war, and win.
The long distances of interstellar space have given hope to the defenders of Earth--they have time to train these future commanders up from childhood, forging them into an irresistible force in the high--orbital facility called the Battle School.
Andrew "Ender" Wiggin was not the only child in the Battle School; he was just the best of the best. In this new book, Card tells the story of another of those precocious generals, the one they called Bean--the one who became Ender's right hand, his strategist, and his friend. One who was with him, part of his team, in the final battle against the Buggers.
Bean's past was a battle just to survive. He first appeared on the streets of Rotterdam, a tiny child with a mind leagues beyond anyone else's. He knew he could not survive through strength; he used his tactical genius to gain acceptance into a children's gang, and then to help make that gang a template for success for all the others. He civilized them, and lived to grow older.
Bean's desperate struggle to live, and his success, brought him to the attention of the Battle School's recruiters, those people scouring the planet for leaders, tacticians, and generals to save Earth from the threat of alien invasion. Bean was sent into orbit, to the Battle School. And there he met Ender. .
Book Review: Eragon
by Tristan
Christopher Paolini is the teen author behind 'Eragon', the first book in a new fantasy series that is flying off the shelves around the country.
Paolini, 19, started writing the book when he was 15 and with the help of his family's small publishing company got the attention of Knopf, who brought 'Eragon' to the masses.
A friend suggested the book to me, and, being a lover of fantasy and sci-fi, I decided to give it a shot, wondering what this industry-proclaimed "young master" could really do.
The story is mediocre. Nothing makes it stand out in a genre that is dominated by Tolkien rip-offs, all striving to capture the scale and grace of Lord of the Rings without putting forth the effort. The world of the story, called 'Alagaesia', is threatened by a dark lord who is using his armies of monsters to hunt down the last of his freedom-loving enemies, including elves, dwarves, and men. Wow, how original. Enter Eragon, the farm boy from the boring backwaters of Alagaesia who longs for adventure and wonders what the dragons of old, and the brave men who rode them, would have done in these dark times. He's given the chance when one day, whilst hunting, poof! A dragon eggs falls out of the sky and he takes it home. What a useful coincidence. Paolini's inventiveness and creativity only gets worse, sending Eragon off to explore the world with his new dragon friend where he meets cardboard character after cardboard character (wise old man who knows magic, mysterious fighter afraid of his destiny, mindless soldiers of a dark lord, a creepy little man who wants his ring back… oh wait. Forget that last one). The world is filled with magic similar to that found in Ursula K. LeGuin's 'Earthsea' books, where everything has a name in an ancient language, and knowledge of that name gives power over that thing to the magic user – in LeGuin’s books, the idea works well, but here it just falls flat.
What Paolini and so many fantasy writers today have missed in their attempts at becoming the next Tolkien is that they create their fantasy worlds on the surface, writing only what back story is needed. They're ready to jump right in and get writing, but they forget that Tolkien spent a large portion of his life developing the mythology and languages of his world. He went to the trouble of adding meaning to the names of people and places, even those briefly mentioned in the main trilogy, or not at all. He deeply understood the world that he had created, and sought to know every little detail about its history and how it worked. I strongly doubt that Paolini took the time to do that for Alagaesia.
The style of writing is not very impressive either. It has a monotony to its sentence structure, and a repetition of certain words and phrases (I felt like throwing the book across the room if I read one more 'pensively') that made it sound like someone who had just discovered a new word and was now attempting to fit it in wherever they could. Perhaps all the simplicity is because of Paolini's age, in a genre where the accomplished writers (who have had the time to fully develop their worlds) are much older, but I'm not expecting that much of a change when the next two books of the trilogy are published.
The only good thing about Eragon is that it shows teens that with a little bit of determination and patience, they actually can get their work published. Paolini has my respect for the effort he put into writing and promoting Eragon as a teenager, but he still has a long way to go before anybody should even think about placing him among the masters of fantasy.
Christopher Paolini is the teen author behind 'Eragon', the first book in a new fantasy series that is flying off the shelves around the country.
Paolini, 19, started writing the book when he was 15 and with the help of his family's small publishing company got the attention of Knopf, who brought 'Eragon' to the masses.
A friend suggested the book to me, and, being a lover of fantasy and sci-fi, I decided to give it a shot, wondering what this industry-proclaimed "young master" could really do.
The story is mediocre. Nothing makes it stand out in a genre that is dominated by Tolkien rip-offs, all striving to capture the scale and grace of Lord of the Rings without putting forth the effort. The world of the story, called 'Alagaesia', is threatened by a dark lord who is using his armies of monsters to hunt down the last of his freedom-loving enemies, including elves, dwarves, and men. Wow, how original. Enter Eragon, the farm boy from the boring backwaters of Alagaesia who longs for adventure and wonders what the dragons of old, and the brave men who rode them, would have done in these dark times. He's given the chance when one day, whilst hunting, poof! A dragon eggs falls out of the sky and he takes it home. What a useful coincidence. Paolini's inventiveness and creativity only gets worse, sending Eragon off to explore the world with his new dragon friend where he meets cardboard character after cardboard character (wise old man who knows magic, mysterious fighter afraid of his destiny, mindless soldiers of a dark lord, a creepy little man who wants his ring back… oh wait. Forget that last one). The world is filled with magic similar to that found in Ursula K. LeGuin's 'Earthsea' books, where everything has a name in an ancient language, and knowledge of that name gives power over that thing to the magic user – in LeGuin’s books, the idea works well, but here it just falls flat.
What Paolini and so many fantasy writers today have missed in their attempts at becoming the next Tolkien is that they create their fantasy worlds on the surface, writing only what back story is needed. They're ready to jump right in and get writing, but they forget that Tolkien spent a large portion of his life developing the mythology and languages of his world. He went to the trouble of adding meaning to the names of people and places, even those briefly mentioned in the main trilogy, or not at all. He deeply understood the world that he had created, and sought to know every little detail about its history and how it worked. I strongly doubt that Paolini took the time to do that for Alagaesia.
The style of writing is not very impressive either. It has a monotony to its sentence structure, and a repetition of certain words and phrases (I felt like throwing the book across the room if I read one more 'pensively') that made it sound like someone who had just discovered a new word and was now attempting to fit it in wherever they could. Perhaps all the simplicity is because of Paolini's age, in a genre where the accomplished writers (who have had the time to fully develop their worlds) are much older, but I'm not expecting that much of a change when the next two books of the trilogy are published.
The only good thing about Eragon is that it shows teens that with a little bit of determination and patience, they actually can get their work published. Paolini has my respect for the effort he put into writing and promoting Eragon as a teenager, but he still has a long way to go before anybody should even think about placing him among the masters of fantasy.
Book Review: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
by Abby
The Da Vinci Code is a thrilling mystery that begins with Harvard Symbologist Robert Langdon receiving an urgent late night phone call while in Paris on business. Langdon is startled when confronted with the news that the elderly curator of the famed Louvre museum has been murdered and that a perplexing cipher had been discovered near his body. With the aid of intelligent cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon is stunned to find that the cipher leads them on a trail of clues cleverly disguised in various pieces of Leonardo Da Vinci’s artwork.
The stakes are raised, however, when Langdon realizes the involvement of a secret society that is also following the clue trail. In a frantic race across Paris and England, Langdon realizes that they teeter on the brink of uncovering an ancient historical secret that may prove as enlightening as it is dangerous.
The Da Vinci Code is a fast-paced narrative that I found nearly impossible to put down. Brown’s novel hit the ground running with suspense laced into the first page and throughout the whole book. Many of the chapters have cliffhanger endings that compel you to continue turning the pages. One thing that surprised me about this book was its readability. Occasionally with adult books I find that they are so permeated with scientific terms and obscure words that they are incredibly difficult to read. Not so with the Da Vinci Code. Brown’s intricately woven story seems to flow effortlessly from page to page. His characters are also well created leaving you with the feeling that you have known them for quite some time. They have a certain complexity that adds tremendously to the book. The settings are also well chosen and are explained in great detail. I think this is a great read for both teens and adults, and although the content is well chosen it may be a bit much for young teens.
The characters, setting, and plot are extremely well written and leave you completely immersed in the story from the suspenseful beginning to the satisfying conclusion. I give this book two thumbs up.
Book Review: J. B. Cheaney's The True Prince
by Abby
Cheaney’s novel is set in London amidst a group of actors. Richard, who narrates the story, has a grudge against Kit who is said to be the finest boy player in London. Kit gets all of the major parts in plays therefore making Richard jealous. Although Richard makes several attempts at friendship, Kit’s attitude is not helpful. When Kit begins keeping the wrong company Richard harbors suspicions that Kit’s new friends are linked to a series of crimes that jeopardize the theater’s good name. Kit is accused of murdering one of his fellow players, and Richard realizes that Kit’s life is endangered. He reluctantly ventures to the edge of the law to help his rival – this infuriating prince of a boy who teeters on the brink of becoming a king … or a criminal.
The True Prince is a good book that begins somewhat slowly but picks up speed toward the middle. The plot is excellently woven throughout the book and a few twists are thrown in to keep your interest. The book is written in mostly modern English but enough Shakespearean text is mixed in to draw you into the time period. Cheaney’s characters are very well developed. Their personalities and attitudes are so realistic that you almost forget for a minute that you’re reading a book and not witnessing it firsthand. The loose ends of the plot are tied up well making for a satisfying ending.
I personally look for a book that is written so well that you forget that you’re not actually there. This book came close but is not by any means one of my favorite books. Overall though, the book was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. J. B. Cheaney has proven herself as a writer and I would probably read more of her works.
Cheaney’s novel is set in London amidst a group of actors. Richard, who narrates the story, has a grudge against Kit who is said to be the finest boy player in London. Kit gets all of the major parts in plays therefore making Richard jealous. Although Richard makes several attempts at friendship, Kit’s attitude is not helpful. When Kit begins keeping the wrong company Richard harbors suspicions that Kit’s new friends are linked to a series of crimes that jeopardize the theater’s good name. Kit is accused of murdering one of his fellow players, and Richard realizes that Kit’s life is endangered. He reluctantly ventures to the edge of the law to help his rival – this infuriating prince of a boy who teeters on the brink of becoming a king … or a criminal.
The True Prince is a good book that begins somewhat slowly but picks up speed toward the middle. The plot is excellently woven throughout the book and a few twists are thrown in to keep your interest. The book is written in mostly modern English but enough Shakespearean text is mixed in to draw you into the time period. Cheaney’s characters are very well developed. Their personalities and attitudes are so realistic that you almost forget for a minute that you’re reading a book and not witnessing it firsthand. The loose ends of the plot are tied up well making for a satisfying ending.
I personally look for a book that is written so well that you forget that you’re not actually there. This book came close but is not by any means one of my favorite books. Overall though, the book was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. J. B. Cheaney has proven herself as a writer and I would probably read more of her works.
Book Review: Dandelion Wine
by Tristan
One of the most well known names in science fiction is Ray Bradbury, author of such famed classics as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. But Bradbury also has another side to him, revealed in his lesser known, but equally brilliant novel, Dandelion Wine, which is based on his childhood experiences in small-town Illinois in the 1920s.
Dandelion Wine tells the story of Douglas Spaulding, and the course of his adventures in Green Town during the summer of 1928, the summer that begins picking fox grapes and wild strawberries, and the sudden realization in the fun of a brotherly fight that he, Douglas Spaulding, is alive.
This is a story of everything: of little things. Of memories retold by a seasoned veteran storyteller, of the way new tennis shoes make you feel like an antelope when first you put them on; the disorder of grandma’s kitchen (and the wonders that come out of it); of the terror of the shadowy ravine that had to be crossed to get home after the night showing of The Phantom of the Opera; of what it was like to ride the old trolley, with the green plush seats, on its last and final ride before the busses came to modernize things. It’s a story of a thousand memories of things we can’t forget, that we should store away in the back of our minds, like Grandfather stored away the homemade dandelion wine in the cool dark of the cellar, to be opened and drunk in the cold of the winter, when a memory of the dandelion summer is just what the soul needs.
The summer porch is still waiting, with its familiar faces of grandfather and grandmother, uncles and aunts and boarders, and the children on the porch swing, rocking with a gentle creak to the music of the locust-night. The dandelion wine waits to be sipped, in the darkness of cellar memories. Drink deeply. Read Dandelion Wine.
One of the most well known names in science fiction is Ray Bradbury, author of such famed classics as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. But Bradbury also has another side to him, revealed in his lesser known, but equally brilliant novel, Dandelion Wine, which is based on his childhood experiences in small-town Illinois in the 1920s.
Dandelion Wine tells the story of Douglas Spaulding, and the course of his adventures in Green Town during the summer of 1928, the summer that begins picking fox grapes and wild strawberries, and the sudden realization in the fun of a brotherly fight that he, Douglas Spaulding, is alive.
This is a story of everything: of little things. Of memories retold by a seasoned veteran storyteller, of the way new tennis shoes make you feel like an antelope when first you put them on; the disorder of grandma’s kitchen (and the wonders that come out of it); of the terror of the shadowy ravine that had to be crossed to get home after the night showing of The Phantom of the Opera; of what it was like to ride the old trolley, with the green plush seats, on its last and final ride before the busses came to modernize things. It’s a story of a thousand memories of things we can’t forget, that we should store away in the back of our minds, like Grandfather stored away the homemade dandelion wine in the cool dark of the cellar, to be opened and drunk in the cold of the winter, when a memory of the dandelion summer is just what the soul needs.
The summer porch is still waiting, with its familiar faces of grandfather and grandmother, uncles and aunts and boarders, and the children on the porch swing, rocking with a gentle creak to the music of the locust-night. The dandelion wine waits to be sipped, in the darkness of cellar memories. Drink deeply. Read Dandelion Wine.
Monday, June 1, 2009
2009 Summer Reading Program
All teens ages 13-18 can enjoy great books, magazines, audio books, and graphic novels, attend amazing programs, and win tons of great prizes. It's completely free, and all you need is a library card.
Grab your library card and get started today!
Grab your library card and get started today!
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